With Mattia De Sciglio not available it was still was strange to see Daniele Bonera on the left side in place of Pablo Armero. Fernando Torres was in the stands not yet ready to suit up. Early on an outlet from the top of the box was picked up by Stephan El Shaarawy who ran down the left touch line, cut in and passed to the fast rushing Keisuke Honda who beat Etrit Berisha in the Lazio goal. A classic counter attacking goal. Game was too often start stop with few direct threats and little creativity. Milan’s midfield three necessitated El Shaarawy and Honda’s help. The pressing game was pretty good however and Lazio didn’t get too close to Milan’s goal or trouble Diego Lopez too much. Lazio took more control in the second half though and worked the ball around as Milan struggled to do anything other than counter attack, but it worked again when Sulley Muntari poked in Ignazio Abate’s cross. Jeremy Menez converted a weak penalty call a bit later and Alex was given credit for an own goal for Lazio’s first soon after. Armero and M’Baye Niang offered a different look but mostly just more speed and Lazio kept Milan busier and threatened. Lazio’s last chance was blown when Diego Lopez saved the Antonio Candreva added time penalty. Interesting to see what Pippo Inzaghi’s 4-3-3 will look like when Torres is ready.
Lots more about the game in the forums at http://www.milanmania.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=753